{"id":2424,"date":"2020-11-18T10:52:57","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T02:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourhero.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=2424"},"modified":"2024-01-13T03:48:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T08:48:34","slug":"5-best-sri-lanka-national-parks-for-wildlife-safari-experiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourhero.com\/en\/magazine\/destinations\/asia\/5-best-sri-lanka-national-parks-for-wildlife-safari-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"Safari Spots: Sri Lanka\u2019s 5 best national parks for wildlife encounters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dreaming of roaming endless plains and spotting wild elephants, bears, and leopards? How about exploring protected beaches and sandbanks to see rare marine life and water birds? South Asia hides a beautiful destination that offers plenty of opportunities for remarkable wildlife encounters. We\u2019re talking about the Pearl of the Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka. The island nation is filled to the brim with parks and reserves. A safari adventure through these untouched lands is a must for wildlife enthusiasts, so we\u2019ve curated a list of the five best national parks in Sri Lanka guaranteed to deliver unforgettable wildlife encounters. Find out which park is best for spotting all five globally-endangered sea turtles, and which is best for getting up-close and personal with friendly sambar deer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety while traveling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remember to check the status of Sri Lanka\u2019s travel restrictions during this time. Certain areas and attractions may be affected by the current pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by Fergus So<\/a> via Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About Sri Lanka\u2019s national parks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You wouldn\u2019t expect it, but Sri Lanka has a grand total of 26 national parks<\/strong>. Together, they cover an area of 5,734 square kilometers<\/strong>. The largest and oldest of Sri Lanka\u2019s national parks is Wilpattu National Park, famous for its population of leopards and sightings of sloth bears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The island nation is home to an impressive number of endemic species; 16 percent of its fauna and 23 percent of its flowering plants are native to the country. It is important to note that many of these species are threatened or endangered. This includes the country\u2019s symbolic and cultural icon, the Sri Lankan elephant, which has seen a 50 percent population decline over the last 60 to 75 years. A visit to any of the national parks in Sri Lanka should be made with care and regard for the vulnerable wildlife that live there. Learn about these animals, observe them in their natural habitat, and leave nothing but footprints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n